CHARLESTON, S.C. – Charleston Southern took care of business in its final out-of-conference tune-up on Monday night, throttling Johnson University, 81-47. CSU (6-5) led by as many as 39 points, placed five players in double figures scoring and held Johnson to 29 percent shooting. The Bucs also out-rebounded the NCCAA foe from Knoxville, Tennessee, 52-33, and scored 22 second chance points on 18 offensive rebounds.

CSU opens Big South Conference play at rival and defending league champion Coastal Carolina on Saturday. CSU coach Barclay Radebaugh was pleased with his team's defensive effort in its return from Christmas break. The Bucs had lost three straight on the road prior to break, the last a defeat at No. 24 and undefeated Colorado State.

"We were rusty, particularly offensively but our defensive effort was terrific," Radebaugh said. "It can be hard to guard five little guys running around out there but our guys did a great job getting in their stance, staying in front and moving their feet."

"We had a really explosive first half played some guys in the second half that needed minutes. They made some mistakes but that's the only way you're gonna get better. I was pleased with our defensive intensity and our effort and we know we're a work in progress offensively. We have to continue to grow there."

CSU wasted little time in dismantling overmatched Johnson, jumping out to a 16-2 lead by the first media timeout. Senior Paul Gombwer opened the scoring with a three-pointer, and the Bucs opened 7-of-10 from the field, with seven different players recording those baskets.

Defense did the job for CSU throughout the night, though, particularly in the first half. The Bucs forced Johnson into 6-of-26 shooting in the opening stanza, including a 1-of-12 mark from three-point range. In total, CSU converted 19 Johnson turnovers into 21 points and blanked the Royals (12-0) in fast break points.

Saah Nimley scored 10 points in the first half to lead CSU, and did not play in the second half. Cedrick Bowen tallied a game-high 14 points for the Bucs, while Reuben King, Will Saunders and Aaron Wheeler all reached double digits as well. Gombwer paced CSU's dominant rebounding effort with ten caroms.

Johnson made five three-pointers in the second half but could muster few good looks against CSU's man-to-man defense. Gunner St. John led Johnson with ten points.

CSU now turns its attention toward the 18-game Big South Conference slate. The Bucs will host Campbell next Monday after making the trip to take on Coastal. CSU fell to Coastal in double overtime of last season's Big South Tournament Quarterfinals, as the Chanticleers prevailed on their way to the NCAA Tournament.

"Coastal is one of seven or eight or nine tough teams in the Big South," Radebaugh said. "When you take a look at our league and what everyone's done in out-of-conference play, it's impressive. I really believe there's five or six teams who can win the league and certainly Coastal is one of those. We'll have to play hard and execute better than we have to get a win."